Green Technology

... "GBCI will manage all aspects of the LEED AP program including exam development, registration and delivery. GBCI will also oversee the development of the maintenance program for LEED AP credential holders. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 12:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Posted by Green Tech at 02:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

... "We believe that electric cars are a macro trend, and their use will grow very fast, and for a long time," says Mr Bjorseth. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 02:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Posted by Green Tech at 05:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

... "The Clean and Alternative Energy Incubator is the next step in this commitment, giving university spin-off businesses and alternative energy companies who want to collaborate with the university a place to nurture and grow into stable, expanding businesses ... " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 05:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

... "The PV array, completed earlier this month, will supply Nellis with more than 30 million kilowatt-hours of clean, environmentally friendly electricity a year. The array is expected to supply the base with more than 25 percent of the total power used by the base population, roughly 12,000 people. More than 72,000 solar panels, which contain nearly 6 million solar cells, were constructed by Sunpower Corp. on 140 acres of Nellis land. Many of the panels, which track the sun across the sky, were constructed on top of a capped landfill. The plant is estimated to save the Air Force $1 million annually and should reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 24,000 tons annually, which is equivalent to removing 185,000 cars from the roadways. This is one of the largest of the Air Force's "green" initiatives to date ... " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Chemical engineering professor at UCDavis receives Department of Energy research grant to investigate methods to create thin film solar panels from organic polymers so that low cost photovoltaics can be manufactured.   ...

...   "Moule is studying ways to assemble thin layers of organic polymers -- essentially, plastics -- into a flexible panel, similar to a laminated poster.  ...  Moule is developing a method to deposit a series of very thin layers using a temporary, removable protective layer. He will also use computer modeling to study the effect of adding multiple thin layers to the device. If the technique is successful, Moule expects to produce simple two-layer devices within 18 months to two years. "   ...

Via University of California Davis: Solar Research Grant

Posted by Green Tech at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

The Energy and Security Act of 2007 was signed into Law on Dec 19th, 2007.  Along with items like requiring higher CAFE for cars there is an interesting note about ... the incandescent light bulb.

Though most people are saying that the incandescent bulb will not be sold after 2012 - it is more correct to say that the current energy inefficient incandescent bulb as sold today will not be available.

It is likely that the initial make up supply of bulbs will be from either higher efficiency incandescent bulbs or as in intermediate step - CFB. 

One little problem about CFB is that they contain MERCURY which is a rather nasty environmental pollutant - one linked to health effects in younger children.  Maybe lower cost LED bulbs will be available by 2012?

So far now ... maybe it is time to stock up on the old incandescent bulbs ... 2012 will be here before you know it.    

Via:  WhiteHouse.gov   Link 

Canada is looking at similar legislation to eliminate incandescent bulbs by 2012. 

"... will ban ... inefficient incandescent light bulbs by 2012 as part of a plan to cut down on emissions of greenhouse gases..."

"... Canada is the second country ... to announce such a ban. Australia ... would get rid of all incandescent bulbs by 2009.

"... banning inefficient lighting, can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by more than 6 million tonnes per year ..." [Canada]

Posted by Green Dude at 06:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

It's getting close --- Here at the Green Dud's place it is less than C-1 (Christmas -1 day).

Here are some green ideas for a green Christmas:

(1) Buy a live (balled) tree instead of cutting down a livbe tree and throwing it in a landfill.
>> Get some credit back if you (like me) mulch the tree instead of throwing it in the trash).
>> Get some credit back if the tree was grown w/o extra chemicals and such.

(2) Get some new LED lights.  they are brighter and use way less electricity and should LAST A LONG time.  When your old strands are no longer working - Go with LEDS.
>> Added Bonus - no toxic mercury in LEDs!

(3)  Use paper shopping bags to wrap your presents and then recycle them instead of throwing them out with the trash.

(4) Recycle what you can of gift packaging (cardboard and paper are an easy one ... #6 PS if you ahve a place to take it.
>> Get some extra credit for buying gifts with minimla or green type packaging.

(5) Whatever type of tree you choose - consider recycled ornaments.

Via:  The Green Dude ....  Link

Posted by Green Dude at 08:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

China's Suntech Poower Co, Ltd is becoming a power player in Solar Cells.  It is a leader in both cvapacity and solar outbut ...

Read on to learn more about why sun power and solar cells are important to the future power needs of the world ...

• The Sun has sufficient helium mass to provide the Earth with energy for another five billion years and, every 15 minutes, it emits more energy than humankind uses in an entire year.
  
  
• The Earth receives only one half of one billionth of the Sun's radiant energy, but in just a few days it gets as much heat and light as could be produced by burning all the oil, coal and wood on the planet.
  
  

Via:  Suntech Power Co, Ltd.   Link

Read more about Suntech - their Chairman and CEO was named one of China's Green Person of the Year (2007)

"... Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech's Chairman and CEO, has been named one of China's Green Persons of the Year for his outstanding contribution to environmental protection initiatives and environmental awareness within China. The award was presented to Dr. Shi and eight other recipients at a ceremony held in Beijing on December 14, 2007."

Via:  Link

Posted by Green Dude at 05:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

 
Hybrid cars continue to evolve ... check out the Toyota Concept Car "1/X" .  Much lighter, with better fuel economy and safety features ... the "hybrid auto" space is rapidly evolving!

"... 1/X compact hybrid concept ... as in "This vehicle weighs only 1/Xth that of other vehicles in its class."

"...1/X was intended to "redefine from its very roots the idea of what it means to be environmentally considerate."

"... has the same interior space as a Prius, but weighs only 926 pounds — about one-third the weight of a Prius — and aims to double its fuel efficiency. ..."

"... 1/X uses plug-in technology, ... 500cc gas engine t... beneath the rear seat and drives the rear wheels.

Via:  edmond.com  Link

For more pictures and videos ... Link 

Posted by Green Dude at 05:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

... "Chain of custody certification is especially important to commercial building projects seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 12:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

... "The major challenges of using pure biofuels in a commercial aircraft are its propensity to freeze at normal operating cruising temperatures, its poorer high temperature thermal stability characteristics in the engine, and its storage stability over time. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 09:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Posted by Green Tech at 11:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Posted by Green Tech at 11:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

... "The Florida Solar Energy Center completed several inspections and performance tests on John and Pamela Parés new home, which features solar water heating, high-efficiency windows and doors and many other environmentally friendly features. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 11:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Death, and burial are not easy topics to discuss.  They are certainly uncomfortable for most --- but death is part of life --- and there is no getting around it.

For those committed to a green lifestyle, a green burial may be the way to leave the earth a better place when you die.

Why? 
>> Green burials are usually cheaper and more environmentally friendly.
Consider:  

"We bury enough embalming fluid to fill eight Olympic-size swimming pools, enough metal to build the Golden Gate Bridge, and so much reinforced concrete in burial vaults that we could build a two-lane highway from New York to Detroit," Sehee said.

Via:  NPR.org   Link

"Green burial provides us with a way of getting in sync with the natural process of death, decay, and regeneration, rather than having to stave it off, as conventional deathcare demands."

To learn more about Green Burials    Link

Posted by Green Dude at 05:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

... "They should aim to develop machines that consume energy in proportion to the amount of work performed. Such energy-proportional machines would ideally consume no power when idle (easy with inactive power modes), nearly no power when very little work is performed (harder), and gradually more power as the activity level increases (also harder). " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 10:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

The normal process is to burn a hydrocarbon and get CO2.  A possible novel new process would turn the CO back into a Hydrocarbon. 

CO2 ==> CO ==> Hydrocarbon ... just add concentrated sunlight!  Pretty neat!  

"... research team from Sandia National Laboratories is building a prototype ... to chemically “reenergize” carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide ... carbon monoxide could then be used to make hydrogen or ... combustible fuel, such as methanol or even gasoline, diesel and jet fuel."

"... Counter Rotating Ring Receiver Reactor Recuperator (CR5, for short), ..."

"... “Sunshine to Petrol” (S2P). “Liquid Solar Fuel” is the end product — the methanol, gasoline, or other liquid fuel made from water and the carbon monoxide produced using solar energy."

Read more of the details here  Link    Link 

Posted by Green Dude at 06:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

... "The 130,000-square-foot, highly automated manufacturing and distribution center will produce the reflectors, towers, absorber tubes, and other key components of the company's solar thermal power plants. Solar thermal power plants use fields of mirrors to capture the sun's power to produce electricity without pollution. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 01:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Posted by Green Tech at 07:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Posted by Green Tech at 10:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

... "The company detailed its vision to help businesses that operate some of the world's largest, most powerful data centers -- with massive banks of computers that fuel special effects, animation and new, rich media entertainment -- significantly reduce the environmental impact of their IT operations and dramatically improve their bottom line by the end of the decade. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 08:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

You've been Green all year and preaching to your family and friends about being Green.

Why not get them something Green for the holidays?

What to give?

• Something for the kitchen / cook?
• Something for the gardener?
• Something for the outdoorsman?
• Something for the fashionista?
  

That Perfect Green Gift ... all here ... and more ... follow this link for some great ideas

Via: Lime.com   Link

Posted by Green Dude at 06:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

... "Development of a new paradigm for controlling the microstructure of thin-film silicon, which will improve stability and efficiency and lower the cost of nanocrystal silicon photovoltaic cells. Led by professor Uwe Kortshagen, department of mechanical engineering, Institute of Technology. Amount awarded: $732,032. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 10:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

 
Boston has a new take on trashcans. 

Their BIG GREEN compacting cans can hold up to 150 gallons requiring less frequent vists by sanitation workers ... and less mess as they do not tip over and spill!

"... solar-powered, self-compacting trash receptacles. ...need emptying only once or twice a day, ... ..."

"... powered by photoelectric panels, which supply power to motor-driven compactors inside. ..."

"... has placed 50  ... machines in neighborhoods and hopes to buy more as it gauges how much it can save in labor costs.

Via:  Boston.Com  Link

Folks in Boston are mixed on the new garbage cans ... some like 'em, some don't.  But in any case there are likely to be more of them ... in Boston and other cities.

Posted by Green Dude at 05:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Posted by Green Tech at 08:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

... "Participation in the SCLC will provide Dell suppliers a standard globally recognized methodology to report emissions. Dell will work with its suppliers on reporting data relevant to Dells business and CDP will provide guidance on reporting requirements. Creation of a standardized system offers suppliers an efficient tool for reporting and helps avoid multiple reporting requirements. The SCLC was created to engage member companies supply chains to report carbon footprints and climate change-relevant information, such as greenhouse gas emissions data, emissions reduction targets and climate-change strategy. This is the first effort to create one single standardized mechanism, through the CDP questionnaire process, to measure company carbon footprints throughout their supply chain. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 08:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

The New Belgium Brewery has many green aspects to their business ... In addition to their own waste water treatment plant ... they product their own methane!

"...  installation of its own process water treatment facility. ...  allows us to clean our process waters ...  without burdening the municipal system.... "

" ... byproduct of this process is the production of methane. ... capture this methane and pipe it back into ... a combined heat and power engine that produces both electrical and thermal energy. ... power about 10% of the brewery with this byproduct ..."

Via:  New Belgium Beer   Link

Posted by Green Dude at 05:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

frogdesign is putting their creative spin on the LED lightbulb.

"... goal, ... was to ...demonstrate how companies can make a difference by creating sustainable designs. ..."

The actual bulb does not exist yet .... but is an intersesting design idea ...  

Via:  fastcompany.com   Link

Via:  frogdesign.com  Link

Posted by Green Dude at 05:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

The citizens of Seattle, Washington have several green power options.  Seattle has a long history of grren power ... in 1905 they built their first hydroelectric plant.

• "Buy green power for a portion of your electricity through City Light's Green Up Program"
  

  >>> This allows customers to pay an additional amount to get up to 100% of their power from renewable sources.

  
  
• "Pay a little more on your bill to support renewable energy demonstrations, including local solar electricity projects, through City Light's Green Power Program".
  

  >>> This funds demonstrations of renewable energy methods not curently bieung used in Seattle.

  
  

Via:  City Light Power  Link
 

Posted by Green Dude at 05:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Posted by Green Tech at 10:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Recovering the potential "fuel" in materials has been the driving force behind oil shale and oil sands.  Global Resource Corp, a NJ company, has found a way to "crack "the energy" from materials using RF energy.

" ... GRC’s hydrocarbon specific frequencies are generated by much higher RF klystrons that actually crack the hydrocarbon chain into its characteristic fuels.

"... no CO2 or CO produced ... because there is no oxidation... "

"... designed klystron machinery for gasifying hydrocarbons where they exist or in fabricated systems. In-situ meaning processed deep in the ground, rock formations or anywhere naturally occurring and off-situ meaning processed above ground that is mined or material removed from site.

"... GRC ...now possess the technology that will free America from foreign oil imports.

Click the LINK to see a YouTUBE video of converting COAL into natural gas and hydrogen fuel.

Via:  Global Resource Corporation    Link 

For information about 3rd party verification of this technology Link 

Posted by Green Dude at 06:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

... "The Blue Energy Ocean Turbine acts as a highly efficient underwater vertical-axis windmill. Sea water is 832 times denser than air and a non-compressible medium, an 8 knot tidal current is the equivalent of a 390 km/hr wind. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 09:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

What is a waterless urinal? 
How does it work? 
How does it save money and or energy?

Waterless urinals are now being installed in buildings around the country.  I saw them this week at the US HQ (PA) of a major German software company ...

They mount like an ordinary urinal but have a drain only - now plumbing is needed to "flush" so there are energy saving s in construction, less water and maintenance. 

" ... As much as 5% of fresh water consumed is currently used to carry away urine. Each Falcon Waterfree  ... saves an average of 40,000 gallons (151,000 liters) of fresh water per year. ... No energy need be used to treat this water, nor does it produce carbon dioxide emissions as a byproduct of its treatment. ... "

A" ... very little maintenance ... no moving parts ... only maintenance is an easy change of the cartridge, performed approximately three to four times per year."

"Falcon products are manufactured and marketed by recognized leaders in the plumbing and hygiene industry, including:

American Standard
Sloan Valve Company
JohnsonDiversey
Eco-Lab:

Read more at Link 

Posted by Green Dude at 04:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

... "The nations first solar-powered billboard is prominently located at 1000 Brannan Street in San Francisco, visible from the Highway 101 9th Street exit. It is outfitted with 20 solar modules that can provide up to 3.4 kilowatts of renewable solar energy to the PG&E grid. The power generated by the system exceeds the power used at night to illuminate the billboards lights. In addition to installing solar, PG&E replaced the billboards halophane light fixtures with energy-efficient LED lights. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 08:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

... "Green buildings generate 3.5 percent higher occupancy rates, 3 percent higher rental rates and have a 6.6 percent improved return on investment, Katz said. Additionally, green buildings see an average increase of 7.5 percent in building values ... " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 09:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Posted by Green Tech at 05:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

... "The energy bill will also include a massive biofuels mandate, requiring motor fuel refineries to use increasing amounts of corn-based ethanol ... " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 06:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options